Michigan State Parks GeoTour - (MSPGT2):
The geocache which you are about to seek is one of fifteen geocaches that are each a part of one of the three separate GeoTours making up the Michigan State Parks GeoTour, or MSPGT2 for short. MSPGT2 and each of its three GeoTours have a beautiful multi-part geocoin for you to earn. To qualify, you will need to download and print the Michigan State Parks GeoTours OFFICIAL LOGBOOK and follow the instructions on it. See the Resources section below for information.
Cache Details:
This is a letterbox hybrid and is not at the posted coordinates. In your vehicle, you will follow the steps in the story below until you reach the point where you will exit your vehicle and search for the container on foot. For most of your journey, you will be on a one-way road, so no backtracking!
If you have a problem following the steps, take a coordinate and send a message with that coordinate and the step number you are on to the CO, mspgt2, on geocaching.com. No promises, but a problem solver might be available to get you back on track. If you don't find the cache, please log a DNF, but do not include those coordinates. We will try to help within a day.
Now, here is the story, turn by turn, step by step.
1. Your driving journey begins at the posted coordinates. Drive straight, stay on the road following the sign to the Fishing Pier, Picnic Area, Observation Tower, Archery Range and Kayak Launch.
2. In approximately two tenths of a mile you will come to a fork in the road. You will see a sign pointing to the left, saying one way and pointing left to the Observation Tower. Make the left towards the tower.
3. About three tenths of a mile further along the road (Ridge Rd), you will come upon another fork in the road. Make the left towards the tower. It is about a mile to the next waypoint,but on the way is an observation tower. If time allows, visit the tower and take in the view.
4. From the tower, head straight to the fishing pier.
5. Once at the pier, keep following the one way road. In about six-tenths of a mile you will see the Scaup Lake Cabin sign. You are on the right track, keep going straight. You will come to another Scaup Lake sign. Keep going straight.
6. Short of another mile, you will come to the Jewett Lake Boat Launch No Gas or Electric Motors sign. You guessed it, keep going straight until you come to a stop sign.
7. At the stop sign make a right. In short order you will come to post #20, it will have a map on it. This post will be on your right and you will see the back of the sign first. This is where you will exit your vehicle.
8. Looking at the map on the post head left (NE) taking approximately 24 paces.
9. Now turn towards your left (NW) into the woods and take approximately 30 paces, all the while looking for a stump that stands about three feet tall. This is where you will find the letterbox you seek. After signing the log, stamping your book, and collecting the code word for the GeoTour, make your way back to your vehicle and follow the exit signs out of the park
Your geocacher name on the logbook is required to claim a find. Don't forget to record the Codeword on your OFFICIAL LOGBOOK. Please return everything as good or better than you found it. Please report problems in your log and send a message to MSPGT2. Our hiders do not see message traffic. If you need to contact the hider, their geocacher name is in the Information section below.
Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC for the MI DNR
Grousehaven Lake Campground in Rifle River Recreation Area
Rifle River Recreation Area
Rifle River Recreation Area provides year-round recreation opportunities, including fishing, paddling, camping, swimming, hiking, mountain biking and more. The park is home to 10 no-wake lakes and ponds, including Grousehaven and Devoe, the Rifle River and several scenic streams. There is an observation tower located along Ridge Road overlooking many of the park's features and a swinging (suspension) bridge across the Rifle River.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Down State Bird Hunters
Activity: Hunting
Hunting is allowed in the state park; however, you should call this park directly to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations. There is an accessible hunting blind available by reservation.
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting
MSPGT2 - Northern Lower Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula is a paradise for outdoor recreation, with its vast network of state parks, trails, and waterways offering endless opportunities to connect with nature. The region is home to iconic state parks with sandy trails that lead to sweeping views of Lake Michigan, and others that have towering trees that tell the story of Michigan’s logging history.
Paddlers can explore the serene waters of the Au Sable, Manistee, and Boardman Rivers, while boaters and anglers enjoy the region’s many inland lakes and access to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The Chain of Lakes Water Trail is a must for kayakers, with its crystal-clear waters and scenic shorelines.
For hikers and cyclists, the North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail wind through the region’s forests, fields, and charming towns, offering something for every skill level. The High Country Pathway and Jordan River Pathway are perfect for more rugged adventures.
Winter transforms the trails into destinations for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, with groomed snowmobile trails across the region.
Whether you’re camping along the shores of Lake Michigan, stargazing from a dark sky preserve, or simply soaking in the beauty of Michigan’s pristine wilderness, the Northern Lower Peninsula’s state parks, trails, and waterways provide unforgettable experiences for all who visit.
Beautiful five-part GeoCoin by Chris Mackey
Rewards:
The image above shows the five-part Finder Geocoin for starting this adventure and the rewards for completing the three GeoTours that are part of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The oversized coin is trackable. When you complete one or more of the three GeoTours, the Finders Geocoin is available to order from the MSPGT2 Page on the MiGO Website. It will ship with the horseback rider insert (lower right in the third image) included free, and also with any or all of the other three inserts that you have earned by completing one, two or all three GeoTours that are part of the overall MSPGT2 experience. There is also a Supporter Coin available in the store that will not accommodate the inserts. Download the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK (see Resources Section), record the codewords included with each cache as you find them, and follow the instructions on the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK to claim your prize(s).
This geocache is one of fifteen that make up the Northen Lower Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Northen Lower Peninsula Edition is the Kayaking insert shown in the upper leftposition.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, Ypsimom and llski, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, jctgmt for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Tricia Weisend and the team from Rifle River Recreation Area for help and cooperation placing this geocache.
Thank you, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for this GeoTour and for providing the beautiful trinkets for the players.
Thank you, MSPGT2 Core Team Members who helped create and maintain this GeoTour:
IsabellaRoad - DNR Team Lead
kzooOtters- MiGO Team Lead
Merlin1392 - MiGO Geocaching HQ Liasion and Coin Design
LynnGeoGin - MiGO Rewards Manager
JellyFish - MiGO Hider Liaisons and Problem Management
aghudley - MiGO Cache Page design and implementation
IFollowRoads, MsPackrat - MiGO GeoTour planning
fox-and-the-hound - Coin Design and Implementation
Resources
Follow the links below for additional information:
MSPGT2 Upper Peninsula Edition (GT4F8) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Northern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F7) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Southern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F6) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Official Logbook - Download and print to record your progress and claim your rewards. Instructions are included.
Michigan DNR Geocaching Page - Information about MSPGT2 and other DNR Geocaching activities
Michigan DNR Recreation Passport - Required for entry into Michigan State Parks, Recreation Areas, State Campgrounds, State Harbors and State Access Points.
Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO) - MiGO Website with lots of information for geocaching in Michigan.
Michigan Geocaching Organization GeoTour Page - MiGO's MSPGT2 GeoTours page with information about the rewards.
Presented By:
The three GeoTours (Editions) making up MSPGT2 are a colaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI DNR) and the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO). The MI DNR is the owner and MiGO is the creator and operator. There are fifteen caches in each of the three Geo Tour "Editions". Each of the geocaches were created and hidden by volunteer members of MiGO. Rewards for completing each "Edition" are described above. The GeoTours are currently under contract to run for two years, starting Memorial Day Weekend, 2025.